Mickey Arthur criticises PCB for squad and coaching overhaul following England series defeat

Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for making sweeping changes to the squad and coaching staff. His comments follow the team’s disastrous defeat at Lord’s, which left them trailing 2-0 in the three-match series against England.

The PCB confirmed on Monday that seven players would be sent home after Pakistan suffered their second consecutive heavy defeat, losing the Lord’s Test by 194 runs. The decision also affects the coaching setup, with Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul being asked to leave England. White-ball coach Mike Hesson will now oversee Pakistan for the third and final Test in Birmingham. Arthur, who has previously coached the Pakistan men’s team, questioned the PCB’s approach and accused the board of repeatedly making changes without allowing the team to develop stability.

“Absolutely ridiculous decisions by the PCB-this is the reason they are in the mess they are, because they constantly chop and change players, coaches and selectors, and there is no stability! Planning, stability and structure =Consistent performance,” Arthur wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The PCB’s decision came after Pakistan failed to make either of the first two Tests competitive. Pakistan were beaten by an innings and 103 runs in the opening Test before England completed another convincing victory at Lord’s, winning by 194 runs. Following the latest defeat, the PCB announced that Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad would return home. Seven replacements have been named, with the incoming group consisting of five players yet to make their Test debuts and two who have already represented Pakistan in the format. Among the replacements are Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have played eight and two Tests respectively. Left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas has also been added after representing Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is.

Pakistan’s poor performances have intensified scrutiny on the team and its administration. The side have failed to reach the fifth day in either Test, while their batting has repeatedly collapsed under pressure.

Arthur argued that the latest changes risk creating even more instability within a team already struggling for consistency. The former coach believes Pakistan’s problems cannot be solved simply by repeatedly changing players, coaches and selectors, stressing the importance of long-term planning and structure. The latest overhaul also means Hesson will have to quickly adapt to the Test environment before the final match of the series. Pakistan’s difficult tour has left them at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings, with one Test still remaining against England.